I am wanting to level the front of my 2012 4wd but undecided on the best route to go...Looking for 2".
I will be using the 295/65-18 Goodyear Duratrac's on stock 18" Chrome pkg wheels.

$80 - Autospring Front Spacers & Stock Struts
OR
$220 - Bilstein 5100's

How do the ride qualities vary in these setups vs each other?
Which would you recommend?

 

Bilsteins. Do it once... Do it right the first time.

 

I have heard that some people say the ride quality is sub par....true or no?
Where is the cheapest place to buy the Bilsteins?

 

It'll be stiffer with bilsteins, the autospring kit from what I hear stays closer to factory ride quality if not the same as it.

 

So it will probably be better/cheaper to just buy the AS Spacer then add new stock length struts/shocks later down the rd when the stock ones go out!

 

They say the Auto Spring kit retains the factory ride, but I don't agree. I will be removing my Auto Spring kit and replacing them with the Bilstein 5100 leveling shocks this week.

Spacer kits do not provide for more wheel travel so when you lift the truck, it causes the shock to top out sooner. Bilstein 5100's are longer than the stock shocks, increase the wheel travel and have more droop. So you get the lift and a great ride. Read more about it here.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/...WebArticle.pdf

 

Thx Rambo' good info.......but still begs the question on how the Ride Quality is!?
Some people had no issues, other thought it was so bad they removed them all together!

 

Yeah. I heard some girlie men removed them, but they are in the minority. Most love the way it rides and say it is better than stock. I will report on how it rides on Monday after the installation.

 

Bilsteinn 5100, when set at max height, put more compression on the spring, and thus, causing a harder ride. For general driving, it isn't noticeable, but when you drive over the curb at the end of your driveway, or train tracks etc, you definitely notice the non Luxury car feel to them. I've had mine on for so long now, that it doesn't bother me the slightest bit. The positives outweigh the negatives by a country mile.

 

For 09+ 5100's do not have a 2" setting, only 1.5 or 2.25

just fyi

 

oh yes, again.. written by the company themselves. Not saying right or wrong but remember the source also.

 

Auto Spring who is also trying to sell a product says their product rides the same as stock - this wasn't true for me.

I have seen many people say the Bilstein 5100 rides much better than stock. Never do you hear it the other way around with AS riding better. Usually they will say it is the same or they can't tell.

Here is a interesting recent topic on this from another forum...

http://www.f150forum.com/f38/differe...ng-kit-146079/

 

I'm not sure what the actual figures are, but even if those numbers are accurate, you missed one. There are three different height adjustments you can set the perch on. The bottom one is supposed to be the same as stock.The middle one I ignored. I set mine on the upper perch, and the truck sat 3/8" nose high. It bothered me, so I fabricated a set of 2" replacement blocks for the rear.

 

Any change in ride quality with any spacer is in your mind. The spacer does not affect the spring or the shock at all. It may steer slightly different due to higher ride height. That being said, I love my Bilsteins set on the 2" lift.

 

I had the 5100s in my 2004. I strongky disliked them, firm and solid, but way too solid. Very uncomfortable for a daily driven vehicle. The same 33x12.5s on my 07 stock suspension truck are smooth and fairly soft riding on my current truck.

Autospring level for low miled trucks, Rancho Quicklifts for replacing worn out struts and enchancing your ride quality on the go!